Expungement Granted for Solicitation Charges Against South Philadelphia Man
If you have the misfortune to face any criminal charge, it is one of the worst experiences you could ever have in your life! However, when it comes to charges involving sexual offenses, the situation can get much worse than you can ever imagine.
A solicitation charge can instantly ruin your reputation, jeopardize any employment opportunity, and close off future prospects. However, an arrest is not the same as a conviction. Thankfully, Pennsylvania law provides a way to a clean slate through programs like the Alternative Misdemeanor Program (AMP). And that’s exactly how our expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyers secured a full expungement for our recent client, a South Philadelphia man.
But how did it all happen? Well, follow along the blog to learn more!
Charges and Penalties for Solicitation in Philadelphia
Solicitation in Pennsylvania is when you hire another person to engage in sexual activity for a fee. This particular activity is considered an offense and is classified as a misdemeanor. However, the severity of the charge increases with prior offenses.
A first or second solicitation conviction is categorized as a Misdemeanor of the third degree. This carries maximum penalties of one year imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,500. A third offense makes this offense a Misdemeanor of the second degree. This leads to a $5,000 fine and a two-year imprisonment.
Apart from the immediate criminal penalties, a conviction for solicitation creates a permanent criminal record. This record can lead to severe consequences in the long run, such as difficulty obtaining professional licenses, being denied housing, and failing pre-employment background checks. Even an arrest, without a conviction, can appear on background searches and bring about severe impacts in your life. This is the primary reason why having a skilled Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is essential for a strong defense.
How Did We Plan for the Expungement?
Our South Philadelphia client was about to face the aforementioned consequences. But thankfully, he was wise enough to call up our expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyers for help. We planned our legal strategy that centered on leveraging the power of Pennsylvania’s diversionary programs.
The good news is that our client had a clean record, and therefore, it became easier for us to get him into the Alternative Misdemeanor Program (AMP). AMP is a pre-trial intervention program that allows first-time, non-violent offenders to complete a probationary period and other requirements. Upon successful completion, the charges are withdrawn by the Commonwealth. But the procedure doesn’t end here. While the charges are withdrawn, the record of the arrest itself still exists in the court system and with the State Police. This is where the expungement process comes in.
After we got our client into the diversionary program, the next step for our skilled Pittsburgh criminal lawyers was to prepare and file a formal petition for Expungement with the court. We argued that our client had successfully completed the AMP requirements. As a result, the state’s interest in retaining the arrest record was outweighed by our client’s interest in retaining a clean record. The court agreed and granted the order of Expungement! This order requires all agencies, including the police and state repositories, to destroy all records of the arrest.
This victory secured a truly clean slate for our client and also helped protect his professional reputation. Our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers once again proved their expertise. So, if you have inadvertently been associated with cases of solicitation, make sure to call us at the Logue Law Group at 844.PITT.DUI for a free consultation today!